You develop a Web page that contains translucent layers. In the Web page, you use the Filter property to adjust the opacity of the translucent layers. When you browse this Web page by using Internet Explorer 7, the translucent layers intermittently turn gray.

Back to the top

This problem occurs because of a race condition in Internet Explorer. This race condition occurs when two threads concurrently call the SelectObject function on the Windows GDI HBITMAP handle.

Back to the top

Windows Vista service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Back to the top

Hotfix information for Windows Vista

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To install the hotfix, you must have Internet Explorer 7 installed.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To use this hotfix, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
2.	Locate the following registry subkey, and then click it: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl
3.	On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
4.	Type FEATURE_IMAGING_MULTITHREAD_PROTECTION_WHEN_OPTIMIZED_KB942174, and then press ENTER.
5.	Right-click FEATURE_IMAGING_MULTITHREAD_PROTECTION_WHEN_OPTIMIZED_KB942174, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
6.	Type iexplore.exe, and then press ENTER.
7.	Right-click iexplore.exe, and then click Modify.
8.	In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
9.	Exit Registry Editor.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, x86-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Update.mum	Not Applicable	1,955	12-Sep-2007	15:12	Not Applicable
X86_bb225861cc7ae02b31da3880fadda23f_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20678_none_1b3b71b0d4600536.manifest	Not Applicable	704	12-Sep-2007	15:12	Not Applicable
X86_microsoft-windows-ie-htmlrendering_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20678_none_11a2c1b73e521b1d.manifest	Not Applicable	928,494	12-Sep-2007	15:13	Not Applicable
Mshtml.dll	7.0.6000.20678	3,593,216	12-Sep-2007	02:26	x86
Mshtml.tlb	7.0.6000.20678	1,383,424	11-Sep-2007	23:56	Not Applicable

Windows Vista, x64-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Amd64_2307a15376bbc6073fbb4b021df7d753_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20678_none_c3e4e58e87be7aa5.manifest	Not Applicable	708	12-Sep-2007	15:13	Not Applicable
Amd64_bb225861cc7ae02b31da3880fadda23f_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20678_none_775a0d348cbd766c.manifest	Not Applicable	706	12-Sep-2007	15:13	Not Applicable
Amd64_microsoft-windows-ie-htmlrendering_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20678_none_6dc15d3af6af8c53.manifest	Not Applicable	928,555	12-Sep-2007	15:17	Not Applicable
Package_1_for_kb942174~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mum	Not Applicable	1,803	12-Sep-2007	15:13	Not Applicable
Package_2_for_kb942174~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mum	Not Applicable	1,966	12-Sep-2007	15:13	Not Applicable
Update.mum	Not Applicable	1,869	12-Sep-2007	15:13	Not Applicable
Mshtml.dll	7.0.6000.20678	5,680,128	12-Sep-2007	03:27	x64
Mshtml.tlb	7.0.6000.20678	1,383,424	11-Sep-2007	23:51	Not Applicable

Back to the top

Hotfix information for Windows XP

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To install the hotfix, you must have Internet Explorer 7 and Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed.

Restart requirement

You have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To use this hotfix, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
2.	Locate the following registry subkey, and then click it: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl
3.	On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
4.	Type FEATURE_IMAGING_MULTITHREAD_PROTECTION_WHEN_OPTIMIZED_KB942174, and then press ENTER.
5.	Right-click FEATURE_IMAGING_MULTITHREAD_PROTECTION_WHEN_OPTIMIZED_KB942174, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
6.	Type iexplore.exe, and then press ENTER.
7.	Right-click iexplore.exe, and then click Modify.
8.	In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
9.	Exit Registry Editor.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows XP with SP2, x86-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Mshtml.dll	7.0.6000.20678	3,593,216	13-Sep-2007	16:06	x86

Back to the top

Hotfix information for Windows Server 2003

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To install the hotfix, you must have Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 installed.

Restart requirement

You have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To use this hotfix, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
2.	Locate the following registry subkey, and then click it: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl
3.	On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
4.	Type FEATURE_IMAGING_MULTITHREAD_PROTECTION_WHEN_OPTIMIZED_KB942174, and then press ENTER.
5.	Right-click FEATURE_IMAGING_MULTITHREAD_PROTECTION_WHEN_OPTIMIZED_KB942174, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
6.	Type iexplore.exe, and then press ENTER.
7.	Right-click iexplore.exe, and then click Modify.
8.	In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
9.	Exit Registry Editor.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 with SP2, x86-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Mshtml.dll	7.0.6000.20678	3,593,216	13-Sep-2007	16:54	x86

Windows Server 2003 with SP2, x64-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Mshtml.dll	7.0.6000.20678	5,680,128	13-Sep-2007	15:47	x64	SP2	Not Applicable
Wmshtml.dll	7.0.6000.20678	3,593,216	13-Sep-2007	15:48	x86	SP2	WOW

Windows Server 2003 with SP2, IA64-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Mshtml.dll	7.0.6000.20678	10,055,680	13-Sep-2007	15:44	IA-64	SP2	Not Applicable
Wmshtml.dll	7.0.6000.20678	3,593,216	13-Sep-2007	15:44	x86	SP2	WOW

Back to the top

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

Back to the top

In Internet Explorer, two threads work with translucent layers. These threads are the UI thread and the image decoding thread.

The image decoding thread optimizes the image into a single-color PatBlt function. This thread determines the color by calling the SelectObject function on the HBITMAP object.

At the same time, the UI thread draws the image. Also, this thread determines the color by calling the SelectObject function on the HBITMAP object.

However, the HBITMAP object can only be selected in one device context (DC). Therefore, one of the two calls to the SelectObject function fails. If the decoding thread cannot call the SelectObject function, the solid color becomes incorrect. The solid color is used for the PatBlt function to perform future draw operations.

For more information about the Style property, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For information about the Filter property, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information about the SelectObject function, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information about the PatBlt function, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Back to the top